If you have been craving falafel but cannot decide which of the many possible sides to enjoy it with, this falafel bowl is a perfect choice! It combines five delicious Mediterranean recipes to create a filling meal you can easily make in advance and throw together for a quick lunch or dinner. The best part is that there are numerous ways to make it, so it never gets boring!
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Falafel is a delicious and nutritious way to fill you up and keep you satisfied when craving those bright and savory Mediterranean flavors. If you love falafel as much as I do, you will want to try my falafel sandwich, falafel gyro, and falafel platter recipes!
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
Falafel bowls typically include falafel, veggies, grains, and a sauce for dipping. Not only are they incredibly delicious, versatile, and customizable to your liking, but they are also packed with nutrients and satisfying enough to enjoy for lunch or dinner.
I make this falafel bowl recipe with five of my favorite Mediterranean recipes: my crispy vegan falafel, refreshing lentil tabbouleh, tender grilled eggplant, fluffy rice pilaf, and creamy tahini Caesar dressing. The result is a filling and flavorful bowl ready in just an hour!
One of my favorite parts of this recipe is how easy it is to bring it all together. Each bowl component uses ingredients easily found in your neighborhood grocery store. Most of them only require one bowl to make, so there is no need to hunt down any special equipment. It is also perfect for meal prep or putting those leftovers to good use, as you can prepare the components ahead of time and combine them later for the bowl.
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🧾 Key ingredients
Falafel – Falafel is the star of the recipe. The falafel ingredients I use in my recipe include soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic cloves, cumin, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, salt, and fresh pepper. Once rolled into balls, they are deep-fried to crispy perfection.
Lentil Tabbouleh – This light and refreshing lentil tabbouleh is made with a medley of precooked lentils, fresh parsley and mint, onion, tomato, cucumber, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Eggplant – My tender, Mediterranean-style eggplant is drizzled in a flavorful marinade sauce made from various herbs and spices before it is grilled and sprinkled with vegan feta cheese.
Rice Pilaf – Featuring raisins, olives, pistachio nuts, and an aromatic blend of herbs and spices, this Mediterranean rice pilaf is a flavorful and filling addition to the falafel bowl.
Tahini Sauce – A falafel bowl is not complete without dip or dressing, and my two-step, ten-minute tahini Caesar dressing does not disappoint!
🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🥘 Equipment
While this easy falafel bowl recipe only requires one bowl or serving plate that is wide and shallow enough to fit all of its components, most of the individual components in this recipe only need 1-2 pieces of equipment to make. See each recipe for more information.
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
Start by making each of the falafel bowl components according to their individual recipe: The falafel, lentil tabbouleh, eggplant, rice pilaf, and tahini Caesar dressing. Once made, proceed to assemble the bowl.
Making the Falafel Bowl
STEP 1
Start by adding the rice pilaf to one-third of the bowl. Add the lentil tabbouleh to the second third of the bowl and the grilled eggplant to the third side of the bowl. You can also layer the ingredients if you wish.
STEP 2
Place the falafel balls on top of the lentil tabbouleh, eggplant, and rice pilaf.
STEP 3
Drizzle the tahini Caesar dressing on top and enjoy!
💡 Expert tip
If you want to make this recipe as simple and easy as possible, it helps to prepare the ingredients a day or so in advance and then throw all of the ingredients together on the day you plan to enjoy the bowl. For the best results, always wait until the day you plan to serve the bowl to top it with the dressing.
🔄 Variations
Falafel bowl recipes are incredibly versatile, and you can make them with almost any combination of ingredients you choose.
Swap out the eggplant for other roasted vegetables such as roasted cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, red onions, potatoes, or carrots.
You can use plain rice or even quinoa instead of the Mediterranean-style rice pilaf.
Instead of the lentil tabbouleh, try it with other fresh herbs or leafy greens such as kale. You can also kick up the flavor a notch with salty additions such as olives or pickles.
You can also try different tahini dressing, such as my maple dijon or lemon herb tahini dressing. Hummus is also a popular and delicious addition to falafel bowls. Give it a try with my sunflower seed hummus, or skip the hummus and use my tangy tzatziki dressing. The possibilities for this falafel bowl really are endless!
🥣 Serving ideas
This falafel bowl recipe has everything you need to make a filling and nutritious meal, with plenty of variations to mix and match:
- With toppings: However, to add a finishing touch, you can always sprinkle on some crushed nuts or toasted sesame seeds, drizzle it with olive oil, or serve with sliced lemon for a tangy seasoning.
- With pita: serve it with some sliced pita bread or pita chips to use as utensils!
❄️ Storing tips
Falafel salad bowls are best when they are made and served fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them as follows:
In the refrigerator: Store the assembled bowl in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
In the freezer: I do not recommend freezing the assembled falafel bowl as some ingredients will lose their texture and become soggy.
Reheating: Reheat the falafel separately from the rest of the bowl. To maintain the crunchy texture, reheat the falafel in the oven.
🤔 FAQs
A falafel bowl is a nutritious and versatile dish that consists of falafel balls served over a base of grains like rice or quinoa, accompanied by various salads, vegetables, dips, and sauces. It is a customizable meal that combines different textures and flavors, offering a wholesome, plant-based dining option.
Falafel pairs well with various options. Creamy tahini sauce, smooth hummus, refreshing tzatziki, and spicy hot sauce are popular for dipping. Pita bread is also classic option. Complementary sides include herby tabbouleh, crisp Israeli salad, and tangy pickled vegetables. For a more filling meal, rice or roasted vegetables like zucchini and eggplant are excellent. Beverages like mint lemonade or ayran can cleanse the palate. Mixing textures and flavors enhances the meal.
Yes, falafel can be eaten cold and still be enjoyable. While traditionally served hot and crispy, cold falafel remains flavorful, making it a convenient and tasty option for salads, sandwiches, or bowls.
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The Ultimate Falafel Bowl
Ingredients
Homemade Falafel
- 1+½ cup Chickpeas (dry not canned) dried
- 1 Onion (medium)
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 0.8 oz Fresh parsley
- 0.6 oz Fresh cilantro
- 1+½ tsp Ground cumin seeds
- 2 Tbsp Sesame seeds
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- ½ cup Cold water
Other ingredients
- 2 servings Lentil Tabbouleh
- 2 servings Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant
- 2 servings Mediterranean Rice Pilaf
- 2 servings Tahini Caesar Dressing
Instructions
- Start by making each of the falafel bowl components according to their individual recipe: The falafel, lentil tabbouleh, grilled eggplant, rice pilaf, and tahini Caesar dressing. Once made, proceed to assemble the bowl.
How to make homemade falafel?
- Soak dry chickpeas in cold water overnight. Don’t cook them.
- Drain them and add them to a food processor. Add peeled and roughly chopped onion, garlic cloves, parsley, cilantro, salt, black pepper, cumin, baking soda, and water.
- Blend until you got a creamy but not completely pureed texture.
- Take a large bowl and empty the food processor into it. Chill the falafel mixture in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This is easier to form a ball after that.
- Use a spoon or your palms and form balls or patties out of the chilled mixture.
- Preheat a large pan over medium heat. Add sunflower oil or coconut oil (something that is high-heat resistant and suitable for deep frying).
- Gently place the balls in the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry them for approx. 5 minutes. They should be brown but not burnt and vibrant green in the middle.
Making falafel bowl
- Start by adding the rice pilaf to one-third of the bowl. Add the lentil tabbouleh to the second third of the bowl and the grilled eggplant to the third side of the bowl. You can also layer the ingredients if you wish.
- Place the falafel balls on top and drizzle them with a tahini Caesar dressing. Enjoy!
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